MOVIES - Feb. 18, 1988

Unconventional director John Waters’ new film, “Hairspray,” had its premiere Tuesday night at an unconventional place: the Senator Theater in Baltimore, which the Baltimore born-and-bred film maker dubbed “the hairdo capital of the world.” Longtime Waters star Divine and singer Ric Ocasek of the Cars were on hand as 900 people paid $25 for the screening and the Hairhopper Ball at the Baltimore Museum of Art. About $15,000 was raised to benefit the organization AIDS Action Baltimore. Waters was honored earlier on Tuesday with a special award for 20 years of contributions to the Maryland film industry.